Article

David Harry Walker

Published Online November 25, 2007

Last Edited December 16, 2013

David Harry Walker, army officer, novelist (b at Dundee, Scot 9 Feb 1911; d 5 March 1992). Raised in Scotland and England, Walker was aide-de-camp to Canadian Gov Gen John BUCHAN 1938-39, a POW in Europe 1940-45, and comptroller to the viceroy of India 1946-47.

Walker, David Harry

David Harry Walker, army officer, novelist (b at Dundee, Scot 9 Feb 1911; d 5 March 1992). Raised in Scotland and England, Walker was aide-de-camp to Canadian Gov Gen John BUCHAN 1938-39, a POW in Europe 1940-45, and comptroller to the viceroy of India 1946-47. A major with an MBE, he retired in 1948 to write full-time in St Andrews, NB. The popular Geordie (1950) tells of a small Scottish boy who takes a body-building course and wins an Olympic gold medal. The Pillar (Gov Gen's Award 1952) depicts POW life. Digby (Gov Gen's Award 1953) tells how a weary N American tycoon is rejuvenated during a Rabelaisian visit to Scotland. Where the High Winds Blow (1960) portrays the rise of an entrepreneur in the Canadian North, while New Brunswick settings dominate Mallabec (1965), Pirate Rock (1969) and Ash (1976). Black Dougal (1973), an adventure thriller, is in part set in Québec, while The Lord's Pink Ocean (1972) portrays the survivors of a worldwide biochemical disaster. His 20 books include 5 for children and adolescents. In July 1987, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada. His memoirs, Lean, Wind, Lean, were published in 1984.